Boundary Representation

The B-rep is the basis of all solid modeling systems. In a B-rep, the boundaries (e.g., faces in the case of a cylinder) delineate the inside (solid) and outside of a continuum. With a B-rep description of a volume it is relatively easy for software tools to determine the volume's properties. The B-rep can also apply to 2D (faces) and 1D (edges) objects.

Continuum-Boundary Relationships: Green = Boundary, Blue = Continuum

Topology

A natural hierarchy (or topology) exists within a B-rep, whereby a 3D continuum object (volume) is bounded by 2D boundary objects (faces) and a 2D continuum object (face) is bounded by 1D boundary objects (edges) and so on.

Topology of 2 Faces Sharing a Common Edge

Geometry Construction

Using a B-rep during geometry construction allows a natural extension of edges (1D) to faces (2D) and faces (2D) to volumes (3D) using operations such as extrude, revolve and sweep. Also, defining chamfers and fillets on a B-rep volume is straightforward; there is no ambiguity (as there is in a surface-based representation) about which side of a surface is solid and therefore whether to add or remove material to satisfy the chamfer or fillet.

Constructive Solid Geometry

Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) is a powerful technique for creating geometry using Boolean operators to unite, intersect and subtract B-rep solids. Typically, simple primitive solids, such as cylinders, spheres and boxes, are combined to form complex solids. Throughout the process of applying Boolean operators, a valid B-rep is maintained.

Boolean Operations: Left to right: unite, intersect and subtract, for a box and sphere

Simulation

CAE analysis tools, such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), require topologically complete models (i.e., faces are connected to adjacent faces to form a volume) to produce a mesh on which to solve fluid flow equations. Boundary conditions, such as walls, inlets and outlets, are specified on the boundary faces. A B-rep solid model is an ideal basis for performing such simulations, as it supplies the necessary topology to define the fluid flow domain and the geometric definition required to perform meshing.

Ironically, most CAE analysis tools are not based on solid modeling systems and instead use ad-hoc, incomplete geometry definitions tailored for specific simulation techniques. Typically the meshing of the geometry is performed in a separate pre-processor, separating the simulation engine (solver) from the geometry model. Thus, geometry modifications require a tedious revisit to the pre-processor for re-meshing and sometimes the whole simulation then needs to be reconfigured.

The latest CAE analysis tools are based on solid modeling systems and provide a more streamlined simulation process whereby geometry modifications are immediately and automatically captured in the simulation.